ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Department of Atomic Energy
Atomic Energy Regulatory Board organises awareness programme for journalists
Mumbai : 20 September 2022
Atomic Energy Regulatory Board , as a part of its public outreach activities and towards the celebrations of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mohotsav’, has organised an awareness programme for the Journalists of Mumbai Metropolitan Region today, on September 20, 2022, at its headquarters in Mumbai. This was first of its kind programme organised by AERB for the Journalists with an objective to apprise them on safety regulations of nuclear installations and applications of ionising radiation. The programme included talks by senior scientific officers of AERB, discussions and visit to scientific exhibition.
AERB Executive Director, Shri C. S. Varghese, in his inaugural address, appreciated the role played by the Journalists in dissemination of information to the society. He emphasized that the recent IRRS  Mission of IAEA  in June, 2022 concluded that AERB showed a strong commitment and professionalism to ensure nuclear and radiation safety in the country. On the strengths of its regulatory practices, approach and safety record, AERB is now seen as a competent and mature regulator by the utilities and the peer regulators worldwide. Currently AERB is taking efforts to formalise its regulatory processes further, to make it more efficient, preparing for the projected large-scale expansion in the Indian nuclear power programme in the near future. With this background, he urged that the news on nuclear and radiation technologies may be presented in correct perspective and context.
About AERB
The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board was constituted on November 15, 1983, by the President of India by exercising the powers conferred by the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 to carry out certain regulatory and safety functions under the Act. The regulatory authority of AERB is derived from the rules and notifications promulgated under the Atomic Energy Act and the Environment  Act, 1986.
Source AERB
JPS/CP
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Ministry of Corporate Affairs
MCA registers highest ever 1.67 lakh companies in FY 2021-22
During the Financial Year 2021-22, Ministry of Corporate Affairs  registered more than 1.67 Lakh company incorporations as compared to 1.55 Lakh companies during FY 2020-21.
The increase is significant considering that number of companies incorporated during Financial Year 2020-21 were the highest in any of the previous years. The incorporations during FY 2021-22 are 8% more than the incorporations during FY 2020-21. While MCA had registered 1.24 lakh companies during FY 2018-19 and 1.22 lakh companies in 2019-20 respectively, it had registered 1.55 Lakh companies during FY 2020-21.
As part of Government of India’s drive for Ease of Doing Business , the MCA has taken many initiatives thereby saving as many procedures, time and cost for starting a business in India.
The MCA launched SPICe+ form in February 2020 and also integrated 11 different services mentioned below, across 3 Central Government Ministries/Departments , 3 State Governments , and NCT of Delhi:
- Name Reservation
- Company Incorporation
- Director Identification Number
- EPFO Registration No.
- ESIC Registration Number
- PAN
- TAN
- Profession Tax Registration Number for the state of Maharashtra, Karnataka and West Bengal
- Bank Account number and
- GSTN Number 
- Shop and Establishment Registration No. for NCT of Delhi.
During FY 2021-22, the States having the highest number of registrations were Maharashtra  followed by Uttar Pradesh  Delhi  Karnataka  and Tamil Nadu .
Sector wise, the maximum number of companies were incorporated in the Business Services , followed by Manufacturing  Community, personal & Social Services  and Agriculture & Allied Activities .
The MCA is continuously striving to transform regulatory environment and has taken several measures in recent past towards EoDB like:-
- Revision of Definition of Small Companies which has reduced compliance burden on about 2 lakh companies
- Zero MCA fee for company incorporation up to Rs 15 lakh authorised capital
- Incentivisation of incorporation of One Person Companies 
- De-criminalisation of technical & procedural violations under Companies & LLP Act.
Ministry of Defence
17TH ROUND OF INDIA-CHINA CORPS COMMANDER LEVEL MEETING
The 17th round of India- China Corps Commander Level Meeting was held at Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on the Chinese side on 20th December 2022.
Building on the progress made after the last meeting on 17th July 2022, the two sides exchanged views on the resolution of the relevant issues along the LAC in the Western Sector in an open and constructive manner. They had a frank and in-depth discussion, keeping in line with the guidance provided by the State Leaders to work for the resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest which would help in restoration of peace and tranquility along the LAC in the Western Sector and enable progress in bilateral relations.
In the interim, the two sides agreed to maintain the security and stability on the ground in the Western Sector. The two sides agreed to stay in close contact and maintain dialogue through military and diplomatic channels and work out a mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest.
President's Secretariat
President of India Presents Padma Awards
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind presented four Padma Vibhushan, eight Padma Bhushan and sixty-one Padma Shri Awards for the year 2020, today morning  at the Civil Investiture Ceremony-I held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Among the dignitaries present on the occasion were the Vice President of India, Prime Minister, Union Minister for Home Affairs.
Click here to see the list of Awardees.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves MoU between India and Portugal on cooperation in the field of IT&E
Cabinet approves MoU between India and Portugal on cooperation in the field of IT&E
 between India and Portugal on cooperation in the field of IT&E. The MoU was signed on January 6, 2017 in New Delhi.
The MoU will help in developing a long term and sustainable cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual interest in the areas of IT&E in line with each country's laws and regulations.
Ministry of Coal
Cabinet approves granting one-time window to Government Companies to surrender non-operational coal mines without penalty
Several coal mines with PSUs likely to be released and auctioned as per present auction policy
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today has approved the Ministry of Coal’s proposal for providing a one-time window to the Central and State PSUs to surrender non-operational mines without penalty  and without citing any reason. This may release several coal mines which the present Government PSU allottees are not in a position to develop or are disinterested and could be auctioned as per the present auction policy. A three months’ time will be granted to the allottee Government Companies to surrender the coal mines from the date of publication of the approved surrender policy.
Post cancellation of coal blocks by the Supreme Court in 2014, to prevent immediate disruption of coal supplies to thermal power plants, the government have allotted many cancelled coal blocks to state and central PSUs on allotment route. The allocation route was expeditious and it was expected that the coal requirement of State GENCOs would be met from those blocks. The revenue share payable by State/ Central PSUs is fixed on per tonne basis unlike private sector who have to bid. Given the context of allocation of coal blocks at that point of time, conditions for times lines for operationalization of coal blocks were very stringent and firm leaving no wriggle room either to the successful allottee or the Nominated Authority. Penalization for delay in operationalization of coal mines has resulted in disputes and court cases.
Till December-2021, 45 mines out of 73 coal mines allotted to Government companies, remained non-operational and due date of commencement of mining operations in case of 19 coal mines has already over. Delays were due to reasons beyond the control of allottees, for example, law and order issues; enhancement in the area of forest from what was declared earlier; resistance of land-holders against land acquisition; geological surprises in terms of availability of coal resources.
Coal sector is a key to energy security for the country. In the approval, good quality coal blocks which were allotted early can be quickly recycled back after removing technical difficulties and adjusting boundaries and offered to interested parties under the recently launched commercial coal mines auction policy. Early operationalization of coal blocks will provide employment, boost investment, contribute to economic development of backward areas in the country, reduce litigation and promote ease of doing business leading to reduction in import of coal in the country.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves MoU between India and Morocco in the legal field
The Union Cabinet chaired by chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its ex-post facto approval for signing of the MoU for cooperation in the legal field between India and Morocco, in order to share their experience and expertise in the field of law and legislation.
The MoU will give an opportunity to the Lawyers, Law Officers and law students to discuss issues in the field of law and justice in seminars, symposiums and workshops arranged by authorities of India and Morocco.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Implementation of Krishonnati Yojana
The ‘Green Revolution - Krishonnati Yojana’ was approved coterminous with the period of the Fourteenth Finance Commission from 2017-18 to 2019-20. ‘Green Revolution– Krishonnati Yojana’ is an Umbrella Scheme comprising both Central Sector as well as Centrally Sponsored Schemes/Missions. This Umbrella Scheme has the following twelve Schemes/Missions:
 Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture ;
 National Mission on Oil Seeds and Oil Palm ;
 National Food Security Mission 
 National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture ;
 Sub-Mission on Agriculture Extension ;
 Sub-Mission on Seeds & Planting Material ;
 Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation ;
 Sub-Mission on Plant Protection and Plant Quarantine ;
 Integrated Scheme on Agricultural Census, Economics and Statistics;
 Integrated Scheme on Agricultural Cooperation;
 Integrated Scheme on Agricultural Marketing ;
 National e-Governance Plan in Agriculture .
This information was given in a written reply by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment to Flag-Off ‘Operation Blue Freedom – Land World Record at Siachen Glacier’
Trained by a team of Armed Forces veterans, the selected people with disabilities will undertake an expedition till Kumar Post
Largest team of people with disabilities to reach the world’s highest battlefield in Siachen
Operation Blue Freedom to firmly place India on the global stage as a leader in empowering Divyangjan
People with disabilities from across the country will undertake an expedition till Siachen Glacier to create a new World Record for the largest team of people with disabilities to reach the world’s highest battlefield. Recently, The Government of India has permitted a team of people with disabilities to scale Siachen Glacier. The team of people with disabilities trained by ‘Team CLAW’ a team of Armed Forces veterans. The selected people with disabilities from across the country will undertake an expedition till Kumar Post  to create a new World Record for the largest team of people with disabilities to reach the world’s highest battlefield.
On the occasion of Independence Day, the Cabinet MinisterDr.Virendra Kumar will flag off the vehicle convoy carrying theDivyanjanSiachen Glacier expedition team from Dr.Ambedkar International Centre, 15 Janpath New Delhi, which is a premier autonomous research body mandated to research and provide policy feed to empower marginalised communities and to bring in Socio Economic transformation in the society.
The successful execution of this pioneering expedition, ‘Operation Blue Freedom’, shall firmly place India on the global stage as a leader in empowering Divyangjanand set a benchmark for other nations to emulate. This will drive The Prime Minister, Shri Narender Modi’s vision for Divyangjan and MSJE’s pursuit to harness the immense productive potential of people with disabilities. Simultaneously, it will powerfully portray the skill and heart of India’s Armed Forces not only on the Battlefield but off it as well.
Election Commission
Schedule for bye-election to fill casual vacancy in the State Legislative Assemblies of Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Tripura and Uttar Pradesh–
There are four clear vacancies in the State Legislative Assemblies of Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Tripura and Uttar Pradesh which needs to be filled up:
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Sl. No.
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State
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Number & Name of Assembly Constituency
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-
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Chhattisgarh
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88 - Dantewada 
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-
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Kerala
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93 – Pala
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-
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Tripura
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14 – Badharghat 
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-
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Uttar Pradesh
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228-Hamirpur
After taking into consideration various factors like local festivals, electoral rolls, weather conditions etc., the Commission has decided to hold bye-elections to fill these vacancies as per the programme mentioned as under: -
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Poll Events
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Schedule
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Date of Issue of Gazette Notification
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28.08.2019 
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Last Date of Nominations
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04.09.2019 
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Date for Scrutiny of Nominations
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05.09.2019 
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Last Date for Withdrawal of candidatures
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07.09.2019 
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Date of Poll
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23.09.2019 
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Date of Counting
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27.09.2019 
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Date before which election shall be completed
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29.09.2019 
ELECTORAL ROLL
The Electoral Rolls for the aforesaid Assembly Constituencies w.r.t 01.01.2019 as the qualifying date has been finally published.
ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINES  and VVPATs
The Commission has decided to use EVMs and VVPATs in the bye-election in allthepollingstations.Adequate numbers of EVMs and VVPATs have been made available and all steps have been taken toensure that the polls are conducted smoothly with the help of these machines.
IDENTIFICATION OF VOTERS
In consonance with the past practice, the Commission has decided that the voter's identification shall be mandatory in the aforementioned election at the time of poll' Electoral Photo Identity cards  shall be the main document of identification of a voter. However, in order to ensure that no voter is deprived of his/her franchise, if his/her name figures in the electoral rolls, separate instructions will be issued to allow additional documents for identification of voters at the time of poll in the said election.
MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT
The Model code of conduct shall come into force with immediate effect in the district in which the whole or any part of the Assembly constituency going for election is included, subject to partial modification as issued vide Commission’ s instruction No. 437 /6/1NST2016-CCS, dated 29th June, 2017 . The Model code of conduct shall be applicable to all candidates, political parties and the state Government concerned. The Model code of conduct shall also be applicable to the Union Government for the district of the State concerned.
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SBS/AC

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Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 Vaccination Update - Day 321
India’s cumulative vaccination coverage crosses 125.65 crore
More than 66 lakh Vaccine doses administered today till 7 pm
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has crossed 125.65 Crore  today. More than 66 lakh  Vaccine Doses have been administered till 7 pm today. The daily vaccination tally is expected to increase with the compilation of the final reports for the day by late tonight.
The cumulative coverage of vaccine doses, segregated based on population priority groups, is as follows:
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Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
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HCWs
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1st Dose
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10384102
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2nd Dose
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9519655
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FLWs
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1st Dose
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18379601
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2nd Dose
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16538185
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Age Group 18-44 years
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1st Dose
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462571890
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2nd Dose
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233502680
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Age Group 45-59 years
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1st Dose
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185687028
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2nd Dose
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123198926
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Over 60 years
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1st Dose
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116271821
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2nd Dose
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80543069
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Cumulative 1st dose administered
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793294442
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Cumulative 2nd dose administered
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463302515
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Total
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1256596957
Today’s achievement in the vaccination exercise, segregated by population priority groups, is as follows:
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Date: 2nd December, 2021 
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HCWs
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1st Dose
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|
102
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2nd Dose
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9274
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FLWs
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|
1st Dose
|
|
221
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|
2nd Dose
|
|
17193
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|
Age Group 18-44 years
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|
1st Dose
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|
1328461
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|
2nd Dose
|
|
3341419
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|
Age Group 45-59 years
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|
1st Dose
|
|
315235
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|
2nd Dose
|
|
936930
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|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
191011
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
481536
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|
1st Dose Administered in Total
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|
1835030
|
|
2nd Dose Administered in Total
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|
4786352
|
|
Total
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|
6621382
The vaccination exercise as a tool to protect the most vulnerable population groups in the country from COVID-19 continues to be regularly reviewed and monitored at the highest level.
EAC-PM
EAC-PM working paper analyses problems with Freedom in the World Index, V-DEM indices, and EIU Democracy Index
Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister has issued a working paper by Sanjeev Sanyal Member EAC-PM and Akanksha Arora . The Paper analyses three perception-based indices: Freedom in the World Index, V-DEM indices, and EIU Democracy Index .
The EAC-PM tweeted the following thread which finds serious problems with the methodology used in these perception-based indices. And says ‘questions used by these indices are not an appropriate measure of democracy across all countries’.
“In recent years, India’s rankings and scores have declined on a number of global opinion-based indices that deal with subjective issues such as democracy, freedom and so on.
@sanjeevsanyal & @AakankshaArora5 write.
This working paper analyses three perception-based indices: Freedom in the World Index, V-DEM indices, and EIU Democracy Index.
Freedom in the World Index and V-DEM indices have placed India at the same level as during the Emergency of the 1970s. Moreover, India has been placed below countries like Northern Cyprus. Surely, this is not credible.
There are serious problems with the methodology used in these perception-based indices. First, these indices are primarily based on the opinions of a tiny group of unknown “experts”
Second, the questions that are used are subjective and are worded in a way that is impossible to answer objectively even for a country, let alone compare across countries. Third, there are questions that should be asked but are excluded.
Fourth, certain questions used by these indices are not an appropriate measure of democracy across all countries.
Since these indices are inputs into the World Governance Indicators, the World Bank should ensure greater transparency and accountability from these institutions.
Meanwhile, independent Indian think tanks should be encouraged to do similar perception-based indices for the world in order to break the monopoly of a handful of western institutions.”
The working paper can be accessed at
https://t.co/1WfesgCvir
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Zika Virus strain that causes microcephaly not found in Rajasthan
Indian Council of Medical Research  under Department of Health Research is in the forefront of advanced research in virology and the ICMR-National Institute of Virology  is at par with leading scientific establishments across the world. ICMR-NIV, Pune has sequenced 5 Zika virus strains collected at different time points of the Jaipur outbreak. Advanced molecular studies of Zika virus strains, carried out through Next Generation Sequencing suggest that the known mutations linked to fetal microcephaly and high transmissibility of Zika virus in Aedes mosquitoes are not present in the current Zika virus strain that has affected Rajasthan.
However, the Government is maintaining high vigil of the possibility of adverse pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to Zika virus as the strain may mutate in future or some other unknown/host factors may play a role in microcephaly /other birth defects.
The Health Ministry is reviewing the situation on a daily basis.Around 2000 samples were tested for Zika virus positivity, of which 159 positive cases have been confirmed. Adequate numbers of testing kits have been provided to the Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratories. The State Government has been supplied with IEC material prepared to create awareness about Zika virus disease and its prevention strategies. All pregnant mothers in the area are being monitored through NHM. Extensive surveillance and vector control measures are being taken up in the area as per protocol by the state government.
Zika virus disease is an emerging disease currently being reported by 86 countries worldwide. Symptoms of Zika virus disease are similar to other viral infections such as dengue, and include fever, skin rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise, and headache.
In India, the first outbreak was reported in Ahmedabad in January/February 2017 and second outbreak in July,2017 from Krishnagiri District in Tamilnadu. Both these outbreaks were successfully contained through intensive surveillance and vector management.
The disease continues to be on disease surveillance radars of Union Health Ministry although it is no longer a Public Health Emergency of International Concern vide WHO notification since 18th November, 2016.
The situation continues to be monitored regularly.
PIB Headquarters
PIB’S BULLETIN ON COVID-19
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- 200.61 cr Total Vaccine doses  have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
- 26,04,797 doses administered in last 24 hours
- India's Active caseload currently stands at 1,45,654
- Active cases stand at 0.33%
- Recovery Rate currently at 98.47%
- 18,517 recoveries in the last 24 hours increases Total Recoveries to 4,31,32,140
- 20,557 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours
- Daily positivity rate 
- Weekly Positivity Rate 
- 87.06 cr Total Tests conducted so far; 4,98,034 tests conducted in the last 24 hours
#Unite2FightCorona #IndiaFightsCorona
Press Information Bureau
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Government of India
Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, addressing the nation on the occasion of 77th Independence Day from the Red Fort in New Delhi, said that Cooperatives are a significant part of the country's social economy
A separate Ministry of Cooperation has been created to strengthen cooperatives, modernise them and strengthen the biggest unit of democracy in every nook and corner of the country
Ministry of Cooperation is spreading a network of cooperatives in the country, ensuring that the voices of even the poorest individuals are heard, their needs are met, and they can contribute to the nation's development
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, addressing the nation on the occasion of 77th Independence Day from the Red Fort in New Delhi, said that Cooperatives are a significant part of the country's social economy. He said that a separate Ministry of Cooperation has been created to strengthen cooperatives, modernise them and strengthen the biggest unit of democracy in every nook and corner of the country
Prime Minister said that Ministry of Cooperation is spreading a network of cooperatives in the country, ensuring that the voices of even the poorest individuals are heard, their needs are met, and they can contribute to the nation's development. He stressed that India has chosen the path of “Sahkar se Samriddhi”.